Author's Note: jenben: Yep, Virginia's loyal until the end. ;)

chicketieboo: Thank you. :)

Shamira: Heh, thanks. ;)

Timeless: Thank you very much. :) Glad you're enjoying the fic.

bloodredcherry: Thanks. :) And here's the next part!

Chapter Three

Wolf stirred. His head was ringing, but he forced his eyes to open. For a moment he was confused—he was upright. When did he get to his feet? But then he realized that he had been bound to a post.

This realization woke him up completely. He craned his neck, trying to see if there was anyone else nearby.

"Virginia? Tony?" He coughed at the taste of dry blood in his mouth and licked his lips. "Hello? Anyone awake?"

The door to the bathroom creaked open, and Wolf immediately perked up at the scent coming from it. "Virginia! Oh good, you're here!"

Virginia tied her bathrobe sash as she started towards Wolf. She looked up at him and smiled slightly. "How're you feeling?"

"Oh, much better. Definitely had a bad night yesterday, no mistake."

Virginia nodded and crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Yes, definitely. You know that dad had to knock you out so we could get you secured?"

Wolf gasped. "So that's why my head hurts…"

"I personally think he could've used something other than an iron rod, but at least it worked…and you seem to be okay."

"Oh, I am." He nodded vigorously. "Just very, very hungry. Do I smell bacon?" He cocked his head to the side and took a long sniff. "Oh yeah, that's bacon. Can you untie me now?"

His wife laughed and made a face. "Are you sure the cycle is over?"

"Yes yes, I am back to my usual dashing self." He winked at Virginia, then turned mischievous. "Did I ever mention that you look absolutely ravishing when dripping wet?"

Virginia rolled her eyes and smacked him with the wet towel she'd had slung over her shoulder. Wolf whined. "Hey, that's not fair. I'm a sitting duck here!"

Yes, he definitely seems to be back to normal, Virginia thought as she busied herself with loosing his restraints. He wriggled out of them as soon as they were slack enough, and spun around, wrapping his arms around his wife and burying his nose in her hair.

"Wolf, cut it out." Virginia laughed, slapping his thigh. "You're acting like a dog."

"I resent that!" Wolf said in a mock-insulted tone. "I'm no dog—I'm a wolf of the very highest caliber!" He growled playfully and sneaked a kiss on her neck before she pushed him away.

"If you're of the highest, then I'd dread to see the lowest."

"Ooo, straight at the heart, there." Wolf groaned, clutching his chest and swaying as if he'd just been shot. When Virginia's only response was to raise her eyebrows, Wolf stopped and became serious, frowning slightly. "Something wrong?"

Virginia shrugged. "Not really. You just seem to be in an awfully good mood today."

Wolf sent her a faintly confused look. "Is that a bad thing?"

Virginia shook her head. "Oh no, not at all. It's just that after last night…well, I'd've expected you to be a bit more…I don't know, mellow."

"Why?" Wolf's face abruptly lost all expression. "I did something, didn't I."

Virginia frowned. "You seriously can't remember?"

"From the look on your face, I'm almost glad I don't." He scratched his head, face concerned. "Was it really bad?"

"Well, not as bad as in Little Lamb Village, but—" She sighed. "Look, Wolf, we need to talk about what we're going to do next time. We can't have what happened yesterday happening again."

"What happened?"

"What do you remember?"

"Not much." Wolf slowly shook his head. "Less than usual, actually…only…" He closed his eyes. "I remember being outside. I killed…something, not sure what. Then I was back here…I remember you watching me and saying something, that part's kinda fuzzy too. And I was tied up…then loose…and I think Wendell was here." He sighed and opened his eyes. "Everything else is blank. Once the moon reaches its peak I forget a lot."

"Convenient."

Wolf seemed completely puzzled. "What do you mean? It's the truth. No half-wolf remembers everything that happens during their cycle."

"No, I just mean it's convenient that you don't remember the worst things you do." Virginia frowned at the floor. For a half a second Wolf's eyes sparked golden in anger, but it was quickly under control again. He reached out and gently but firmly lifted her chin until they were eye to eye.

"Virginia, I'm serious. I've told you as much as I remember—wolf's honor! Why don't you believe me?"

"I'm sorry, Wolf." Virginia sighed and leaned her head against his shoulder. "It's just that…well, you really scared me last night. I've never seen you like that before."

Wolf hesitantly rested a hand on her back, grimacing. "That's why I wanted you to go." He said quietly, stroking her back. "I didn't want you to see me that way." He took a slow breath.

"…and I didn't mean to hurt you."